Hey friend! Welcome to the very first episode of Thrive Through the Fire! You know, it’s kind of an unwritten rule that the first episode of a podcast has to start with an introduction—so here we are. Obligatory intro episode. But don’t worry, I promise it won’t be boring!

I’m Alyssa Kilgore—a wife, mom of four, nurse, accidental tech guru, coffee reheater extraordinaire, and stage 3 colorectal cancer survivor. This podcast is for anyone who has ever had life throw them an unexpected curveball—whether it’s a diagnosis, a loss, or just a season that makes you ask, “Seriously, God?”

In this episode, we’re diving into:

My personal journey through a shocking cancer diagnosis.

The fear, uncertainty, and emotions that came with it.

Where I saw God’s presence in my hardest moments.

Scripture, encouragement, and practical advice from a nurse—because let’s be real, there’s a LOT no one tells you.

The awkward, embarrassing, and uncomfortable things we need to talk about.

If you’re going through something hard right now, this episode is for you.

One day, I was just a regular mom—running errands, answering endless “Mom, can I have a snack?” questions, and microwaving my coffee for the third time. The next? I was sitting in a doctor’s office hearing the words, “You have cancer.”

I was 38 years old. I was in the best shape of my life. I felt fine. How could this be happening?

Suddenly, I was drowning in fear of the unknown:

What’s going to happen to me?

How bad is this going to get?

Will I ever feel normal again?

And let me tell you—fear thrives in the unknown.

But here’s what I’ve learned: fear loses its power when you know what to expect. That’s why I created this podcast—to help YOU be prepared, not afraid. Because God didn’t bring me through this just to keep it to myself.

Let’s talk about how this started—because colorectal cancer? Not exactly a glamorous diagnosis.

I was bleeding in my stool (yep, we’re going there). I mentioned it to my doctor multiple times, and each time I was told, “It’s probably just hemorrhoids.” But deep down, I knew something was wrong.

That gut feeling? That’s God. Listen to it.

After a very awkward colorectal exam and a colonoscopy, my doctor still reassured me that everything looked fine. Until I got the results.

I opened my patient portal, expecting to see “benign” or “nothing to worry about.” Instead, my eyes landed on words like "Adenocarcinoma" and "Lymphovascular invasion."

I went from not worried at all to Googling my survival rate and assuming I had three months to live.

Hospital tech teams—PLEASE stop putting biopsy results in patient portals before a doctor can explain them. Thank you.

I wish I could tell you that I immediately turned to faith. That I heard my diagnosis and thought, "Well, God’s got this!"

But no. I was scared. I was angry. I was begging God to take this away. And for a while? It felt like He was silent.

But looking back, I can see His fingerprints all over my story.

God was with me through every surgery, every chemo treatment.

He showed up in devotionals, in worship songs, in people He placed in my life.

He reminded me—over and over again—that I was not alone.

One of my favorite Bible stories is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Daniel 3:25 says:

"Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!"

That fourth person? Was Jesus.

God didn’t keep them out of the fire—but He was with them IN it. And when they came out? They weren’t even burned.

That story became even more real to me after a conversation with a woman named Joan.

She told me, “Radiation is literally setting yourself on fire from the inside out. But if God could be with those men in the fire, and they walked away unharmed, then He could be with me too.”

That conversation changed everything for me. And years later, I met Joan in person at a completely random church event. Only God could have orchestrated that.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Friend, if you’re walking through a fire right now—please hear this:

God is still with you.

You are allowed to ask for help—from doctors, from friends, from Him.

You are not alone.

God doesn’t cause our pain—but He uses it for good.

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Check out some of the other resources I have or created for you.

You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s step into the fire together—and thrive.

Father God, I pray for my friend listening right now. I don’t know what battles they are facing, but You do. I pray that they feel Your presence, that they know they are never alone, and that You have plans to prosper them and not to harm them. Give them strength, hope, and peace as they walk through this fire. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

🔥 Until next time, keep walking through the fire—and thriving. 🔥